Jerry's riff @4:20 of NFA absolutely blazes the crowd. Great to hear the reaction in this excellent audience recording.

Could me my fav Queen Jane.

First time I saw them at a huge stadium other than the US Festival in 1982. Was blown away by the energy of the NYC area audience and the music.Very powerful from start to finish. The whole place was electric. Grate year for their music.

This was my first show, and it was unbelievable, I was 17 and this night, I was introduced to a whole new world that I would forever call home from that day forward. Before the show on the way in, I was on the left of the stage making my way down to our seats, a few rows back from the top of the wall that overlooked the field. But somehow there was a huge surge of people n a push and I was forced down against the wall and eventually had to jump down, off the wall, like 20 feet and THEN dodge the security guards who were tackling people n throwing them out of the show. So WE ALL JUMPED, and deked the guards and made our way dead center of the floor..... I danced all night in awe that a band could possess a power like they did. On the way home, in my 1979 Toyota Corolla, in a scene out of the Griswold's, in VACATION, the movie, I was driving and eventually the whole car was asleep on the turnpike, The next thing I knew, was I was dreaming with my head against the window and sparks flying up off the side of my car door as I grinded against the guardrail.... Miraculously I gained control off the car, but my friend in the back slammed his head through the window, shattering it, but he was fine. The police were right behind us and let me go even after they saw open beer in the car and us being 17 only. All they kept asking for was the Cocaine..."Where's the cocaine, you have any cocaine....????" Truly bizarre.
Anyway , that was my first Dead show, and all I could think as I finally lay my head on the pillow, was..............Man, I can't WAIT for the next show, cause there is nothing in the world, Like a GRATEFUL DEAD SHOW !!!!

The Throwing Stones is incredible but the NFA that follows is truly insane. Jerry takes that jam into the stratosphere! I vividly remember the moment where I stopped dancing and just listened with my jaw on the floor. He played some of the most wailing licks that I've ever heard. Blown away!

I don't know about that seamones1; Bill Tetzeli's remaster of the July 7th JFK show sounds much better than this. Levels are more balanced, instrument separation is good, and sound quality is better overall.

Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/n9tzofa
Preview: http://preview.tinyurl.com/n9tzofa

This is THE (rhymes with tree) best Audience recording of a stadium show - EVER. Unarguable.

Why does anybody actually reserve the right to review a Grateful Dead show...Who really cares what your opinion is and if you didnt have a great experience for whatever reason keep your bitchin to yourself...There's a ton of people out there who only saw one or two shows with Jerry anyway. This might be someones actual favorite show...Lets try not to rain on anyones parade, just discuss your personal experiences and leave Jerry and the Boys' efforts alone...
How's that for a review??

Shakedown/Jack Straw/West La opening is explosive(This shows a 5 already). My fav Jack Straw easily! They were playing awesome in '89. This Giants run and the following weeks Alpine run they are pretty much firing on all cylinders.

but kind of slides from there...the next night features better playing, imo, but neither show holds up to 7/7/89.

if i had a ticket for a good seat i'd sure as shit kick out the jackass who was in it, and yeah, i'm sure they were bummed they had to play a stadium instead of those intimate indoor arenas and generic sheds <> i would imagine after 3737294 shows in front of 38907587438548774 people a stage is a stage and a crowd is a crowd...they kicked ass in every kind of venue in which they played

the lot scene was pretty nuts...if i recall correctly this would be the last tour during which they allowed overnight camping

funniest memory of this show besides the waterfall of humanity at the first thunderous strike of that infamous Dm chord is half the stadium is probably on the floor by the end of Shakedown... some dude and his old lady are like, "hey man, you are in my seat," and i'm like, you're f'n kidding right? [there's literally 40,000 seats empty seats by this point but dude wanted HIS seat.
typical NY/NJ-area doofus (i can say that, i grew up there too!)

i got sunburn as fuck at this show, the following night was more fun in the rain but they played better on this night. playing huge football stadiums must have been kind of a bummer for them compared to the smaller more meaningful venues...

this recording is really good; as far as the band goes... the shakedown/jackstraw opener packed quite a punch but beyond that

there's NO WAY in my mind that summer '89 surpassed summer '85 in any way shape or form... JG was probably having a better time, more fun, decent health in comparison... i am skeptical that the person who made this comparison attended any shows in summer '85.

is the early phase of midi jerry so there's some really far out textures starting to manifest.

I know i was at this show or the 7/10 show. I look at both setlists and I honestly feel like it could have been either one. It was my 1 and only Giants S. show. But I DO remember after the show there was a partial lunar eclipse to be seen from the parking lot. Anyone remember? Or was it a different year/date entirely? Oh yeah this is supposed to be a review ok good show. We sat behind the stage- there were excellent speakers and a screen to watch the band (when the crew wasn't watching b-ball playoffs on it.) And 2 girls behind us kept asking us to please stop dancing and SIT DOWN which is the weirdest thing that ever occurred to me at a Dead show.
Only 3 stars until I remember better.
Lots of NJ's finest on the roads stopping people.

Nice Alfred Hitchcock theme song before Shakedown. Shakedown - Jack!!! It was always fun calling your friends who could'nt go and rubbing it in their faces a little bit. Of course this was back in the days where you had to wait in line at the payphone

I am not sure about several reviewers slamming this Shakedown because it is not Merriweather 85. Here is a news flash: every Shakedown suffers by comparison to that one. Why bring it up at all?

Is this an enjoyable show? yes. Should you download it? sure. It sounds just fine if you have a good stereo, and you know how to deal with SHN files. The high end is clear, but if its too tinny, you can simply use an equalizer. The low end is nice too. I am not sure how people can expect every recording to be perfect and every show to have the "best" version of a song. This is just a good show and a nice recording.

I still am waiting to hear a decent east coast stadium show. I did once own a copy of a JFK '86? with Dylan joining in on "desolation row" and "it's all over now baby blue" and it closed with "satisfaction" with Bob introducing the band that was a keeper but they are far and few between. As for "shakedown st.", Merriweather Post is a gem but my favorite is 4/30/88 Frost Amphitheater @ the University of Stanford

my first brokedown and my last show on this tour it was worth the wait good friends good psycs miss you ny mike mass

not sure what all the fuss is about here. the shakedown street never really hits that weird groove--see merriweather post 85--and the rest of the show is a bit ho-hum. even samson and delilah lack punch. built to last is a crummy song. even drums lack any weird moments--sort of tedious. if you were there and high, ok. otherwise, from a distance of nearing 20 years this show is not that happening.

it looked literally like a tidal wave of people jumping from the seats down to the field as Shakedown began... sadly, 7/10/89 was the last Brent show i'd ever see..

this is a good recording, a solid first set...

***

Archives, you are the greatest thing since...since...

Sorry, my emotions got the better of me. 7/9 and 7/10 of '89 hold such great memories for me, that words don't do them justice. Suffice it to say that sitting here at work listening to these shows just made my dreary suburbinite day 1000X better. The Shakedown opener kicked off what may have been 2 of the most fun-filled days of my youth. Hats off, boys.

Nice! Wish I was there right now! I've often thought about what heaven is like, and I can't imagine anything closer to my vision than a good Dead show. The joy, the unity, the good feelings, and vibes. Nothing better on earth. Glad I was able to see the boys weave their spell. Oh, and this show is pretty damn good too. Probably the best Truckin' I can recall. And I don't even think Truckin' is one of their better songs.

Maybe best NFA I saw in concert(120 shows), or at least the most intense high speed jamming version.

Regarding the Buffalo DVD, BudFox is right about the great sound. It is the best soundquality of any DVD release. Where is the Shoreline 89 DVD anyway, since it was a pay-perview in the first place. Hell, just start releasing all of'em right away. Why not? We'll buy'em all!!!!

I Totally agree with BudFox. I actually just updated my review of 7-7-89 saying almost exactly the same thing as BudFox. Then I clicked my way over here to read almost verbatim what I just wrote: The 7-4-89 video release is IMHO the best performance the Dead has issued in video format (of the newest View from the Vault releases, etc...) Along with the Downhill from Here video, these two releases really do show Jerry (and band) having a great time during these shows. The Bertha from 7-4-89 is AWESOME. The whole band is ON, and the sound is excellent. All of these July shows were super strong.

JEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRCCCCCCCCCCCCCIIIIIIIIIIIIIAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA.

Just watched the Buffalo DVD no extras but I think it is the best sounding release to date. I've been a fan of the Alpine DVD. The great thing about both of them is it really shows how much fun the Boys especially Jerry were having that summer. This is probably the best summer tour of the decade sorry 85' Almost every show in July is smoking. These 2 are no exception. Amzing Shakedown Ripping Jack Straw West LA one of my Fav was nice to. Victim odly placed in the first set but still was apparent that this was going to be a hell of a song. Strong BEW and QJ is hot up there with RFK 90' And Greek 88' which is IMHO the best. The Bird Song to close the first set was a pretty Good Indicator that a Dark Star bustout was looming. They had really started to regain there footing in deep exploritory Jazzy modes that for as good as they played were just not their for most of the decade. If there was any doubt after the 1st set that this was going to be monster China Rider oblitarated it. High powered well played Phill just thunders away. Samson kicks the energy level Bobs vocals are top notch. Great Guitar and organ work from Garcia and Brent. Built to Last seldom played and rarer still in the 2nd set was a nice choice i really love this song. Truckin' gets things moving again. Bobby's vocals again are excellent and the music is fantastic. Post Drums is really strong. The Gimmie Some Lovin Goin Down the Road are both really good Throwing stones is done well with an etremley powerful jam and lots of energy from Bob. NFA is awsome really heavy drums and organ. Garcia really goes all out for the NY crowd. Brokedown encore to wrap things up. Expectations are high for the next night.

What a great show! and very killer Shakedown and def recommend a download

wow. i still remember vividly. we started on the top row, center stadium on phils side. when the first note of shakedown pounded we just had to go. it was amazing. by the end of shakedown it seemed like half of the crowd was on the floor. i remember gliding down the spiral walk way, sort of running but taking huge flying leaps on the way down. we were flying. we made it to the floor with a crash. amazing sight. the end of the show everyone chanted Not Fade on the way out the back tunnel. very cool. giants 89' will always be classics.

was there for this one... on jerry's side in the 100's section of the stadium... i can still vividly remember the sight of hundreds (thousands?) of kids slipping down the walls from the 100's sections to the floor (which was GA...) it was like a human waterfall during shakedown... incredible vibe that day... giants could get weird, but this one was special... a little bright as far as the recording goes, but the show is a good one and worth a listen

I've heard 2 of these Bertha remasters - both of them are really, really tinny and bright.

I don't know if it's the source, or if they were over digitized in some way. 414's typically aren't bright......

Sound is very clear and has a good range, but there's something about it that hurst my ears. Great show - my first NYC area show.

seriously, i was one of those dudes up front shouting out for jack straw. a VERY vivid memory from this tour. my buddies and i made a sign for the 5th anniversary of the last dark star at RFK and phil teased it, but they didnt play it. of course, they did bring it back at hampton on fall tour. i always thought i had something to do with that, but who knows... 89 was my favorite year for seing the band, and this show is one of the best times i had that year. smokin' shakedown. 100% phil!

I managed to make my way to the front of the floor (it was GA) for the opening of the show. I was about 10 feet in front of Phil when the boys came out to tune up. There was a group of other young guys standing there that started shout ing to Phil, "Jack Straw...!" I love Jack Straw, so I joined in the shouting (remember this was an east coast show).
Phil looked up and smiled and nodded at us. We continued shouting until the boys launched into the Shakedown opener. We Grooved...
After Shakedown, we resumed our pleas to Phil. Phil smiled at us, then walked over to Jerry and Bobby. They spoke for a second, nodded then launched into a rocking Jack Straw.
We Grooved...
Sound quality on this recording is awesome. 414's are phenomenal mics, and if used properly, as this taper did, they produce awesome results.
While crowd noise is minimized in this recording, you can hear that the fans were jazzed. We were only a small fraction of the 100,000 people that were yelling and screaming, and all psyched up.